Preventing suicide the goal of concert
Two weeks before Eric and Mandah Kern were married this May, their roommate and best friend committed suicide. In retrospect, they say, the warning signs of a person considering suicide are painfully obvious to them now, but at the time they just weren’t aware of them.
To raise awareness about this almost taboo issue, the Kerns have organized a benefit concert for suicide prevention to be held Saturday night.
“Our main goal is to make the suicide issue more known and talked about. People are always so hush-hush about it, but if we don’t talk about it, people won’t know the warning signs and won’t be able to help,” said Mandah.
“This is nothing to be quiet about,” Eric added. “People are shunning it and denying it, but suicide happens.”
The benefit concert is open to all ages and will feature the music of four local heavy metal bands: Hate Factor, A Day to Bleed, Skrewmonkey and Soul Erosion. Sponsors of the benefit include Wizard’s and Northside Video, both of which will provide door prizes.
All money raised will go toward helping suicidal patients and suicide prevention programs at CHEER Mental Health.
“Suicide is a problem, especially for teen-agers,” said Eric. “If this helps just one person change his mind, it will have all been worth it.”
The benefit will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at El Portal bar and grill on Viola Highway. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the suicide prevention fund can do so by mailing a check to CHEER Mental Health, 120 Omni Drive, McMinnville, Tenn., 37110.